Feeling a bit stressed out? More than half of all working adults and 47 percent of all Americans claim they are concerned about the amount of stress in their lives, according to the American Psychological Association. The busy lifestyle of a travel nurse or travel therapist can create stress, which can have a negative impact on her health. Making subtle changes such as diet can potentially reduce the effects.
"Americans are stressed out, and they are dealing with that stress in an unhealthy way," said Helen Mitternight, assistant executive director of public relations in the Practice Directorate.
People who experience stress are more likely to report hypertension, anxiety, depression or obesity, according to the study. They are also more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as comfort eating, making poor diet choices, smoking and being inactive.
To combat the negative impact of stress, a travel RN or travel therapist may wish to make a change to her diet. Proper nutrition is often one of the best defenses against rising stress levels.
Here are three foods that may reduce your stress levels:
1. Beef. Everything in moderation. While some red meat may raise cholesterol, a limited amount of lean beef can be good for you. Beef contains high levels of zinc, iron and B vitamins.
"People think they should stay away from beef, but it's very nutrient rich, even compared to chicken," Tara Geise, a registered dietitian (RD) and a spokesperson for American Dietetic Association, told Better Homes and Gardens.
2. Raw vegetables. Consider eating raw vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots and celery (anything will do!). Some veggies are high in antioxidants and others like spinach feature high levels of magnesium – both are good for reducing stress.
3.Tuna. This low cost fish is filled with stress-fighting B6 and B12 vitamins and is a low-fat protein source. High with omega-3 fatty acids, tuna can help prevent surges in stress hormones and protect against heart disease, mood disorders like depression and premenstrual syndrome, according to WedMD.
In addition, a travel nurse or travel therapist may not want to detract from a healthier diet by consuming food that could bounce stress levels to new highs such as caffeine or alcohol.